If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Retrieving Information From An API

Hi there.

I need to design and develop a web app which makes use of information from an API. The problem is, I've never worked with one before nor have I ever needed to retrieve information from a server, so I'm overwhelmed just wondering exactly how I'd go about it, and would really appreciate some help in doing so. The only languages I know and have experience with are HTML, CSS and basic JavaScript.

The API that I intend to retrieve information from is called the LMI For All API, and basically consists of lots of statistics on careers in the UK. The explorer for the API can be found here: http://api.lmiforall.org.uk/. The problem is, there's no real documentation to go with it, and the only thing that indicates to me how I might go about working with it is located in the FAQ: http://www.lmiforall.org.uk/questions-and-answers/. Under the question "What skills would my web developers need to use this?", the answer states:

The LMIForAll Data API works exactly like many other APIs that are commonly embedded in websites, such as the Google, Twitter or Facebook APIs. Your developers will commonly need knowledge of

HTML
Javascript (+ any libraries your website uses to access and process the APIs, such as jQuery)
JSON
… and anything else that your website front end needs to work.

These are fairly low technical requirements. Note that querying the API is made even simpler by the fact that you cannot change or update the data, so your developers can get by entirely on GET requests.

Other than that, I've no idea where to start. I've done some searching on GET requests and the like, but what I got made me none the wiser, if not a little perplexed.

Essentially then, what I'm looking for is an explanation to a total newbie - as detailed as can be, if possible - on retrieving information from a server and how it's done. Specifically, if the following questions could be answered, I'd be a very happy chap:

In a case such as this, what would be the best/standard/recommended method to retrieve information from a server?

What is a GET request, how does it work, and should I use one in this case? If I should, how do I?

If not, what should I use?

Is it possible to perform a GET request in JavaScript? During my research I came across something called the Same Origin Policy - will this affect me?

I understand that I'm asking quite a lot, but as I said, having had no experience with anything of the sort, I'm kinda overwhelmed with what's in front of me, and I really do need to know. Therefore, I'd appreciate the education and anyone willing to educate a newbie.

* The Perfect Platform for Game Developers: Android
Developing rich, high performance Android games from the ground up is a daunting task. Intel has provided Android developers with a number of tools that can be leveraged by Android game developers.

* The Best Reasons to Target Windows 8
Learn some of the best reasons why you should seriously consider bringing your Android mobile development expertise to bear on the Windows 8 platform.